(from Mercedes-Benz
Press Release) In the German Touring Car Championships (DTM)
the new AMG C-Class ensures exciting motor racing at the highest
level, and now its roadgoing sister model is celebrating its debut:
the new C 63 AMG. Its AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine develops a peak output
of 336 kW/457 hp and a maximum torque of 600 newton metres –
unrivalled figures in this segment. Accordingly the C 63 AMG
accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, while its top
speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. In conjunction with an
all-new front axle, speed-sensitive AMG sports steering and the new,
3-stage ESP Ò, the AMG sports suspension ensures both outstanding
driving enjoyment and exemplary handling dynamics. A combination of
expressive design, a decidedly sporty interior and a high level of
everyday practicality makes the C 63 AMG a unique high-performance
car. The market launch will commence in early 2008.

With the new C 63 AMG,
Mercedes-AMG GmbH is making a confident statement to mark the 40th
birthday of the company. The new V8 flagship model is now the fifth
generation of the AMG C-Class, whose family tree goes back to the C
36 AMG of 1993 – the very first vehicle developed as a cooperative
venture between Daimler-Benz and AMG.

Merely the appearance of
the C 63 AMG is impressive enough, with its wide, road-hugging
stance. The new bonnet with its prominent power domes conceals the
independently developed AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, which develops a
fulminating 336 kW/457 hp at 6800 rpm from a displacement of 6208
cubic centimetres. In this respect the C 63 AMG comes very close to
the 470 or so horsepower delivered by the AMG C-Class racing touring
car in the DTM series. This high output also benefits the
power-to-weight ratio, which is a very favourable 3.6 kg/hp.

The torque developed by
the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine need fear no comparison either. The
maximum of 600 newton metres at 5000 rpm is unrivalled in this
class, and the torque curve is equally impressive: from 2000 to 6250
rpm the driver always has more than 500 newton metres on tap – ideal
for powerful acceleration in any engine speed range.

V8 with thoroughbred racing
technology and a designer exhaust note

Introduced in 2005, the
V8 engine is installed in numerous AMG high-performance cars and
excels with its thoroughbred motor sports technology.

Perfect cylinder
charging is guaranteed by the vertical arrangement of the intake and
exhaust ducts, as well as the magnesium variable intake manifold
with two integral throttle flaps. Other high-tech features include
variable camshaft adjustment, four-valve technology with bucket-type
tappets, a particularly rigid aluminium crankcase of closed-deck
design and the low-friction TWAS coating on the cylinder contact
surfaces.
Among the particular strengths of the AMG V8 engine are outstanding
responsiveness and enormous pulling power – by virtue of its large
displacement, it develops over 30 percent more torque than
comparable engines in this performance class. Electronically
controlled fuel delivery is another reason for the outstanding
agility and responsiveness to movements of the accelerator. With its
sporty AMG sound, which was designed-in during a series of
sophisticated trials, this eight-cylinder powerpack from
Affalterbach offers the unique excitement of a fast-revving,
naturally aspirated engine – an audible and immediate experience
whether at low, medium or high engine speeds.

In the interests of optimal reliability, the C 63 AMG has a
particularly efficient water cooling system and large engine and
transmission oil coolers. Located behind the large apertures in the
AMG front apron, these coolers ensure non-critical operating
temperatures at all times – even under the extreme stress of the
racetrack.

Like all AMG
high-performance engines, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 is built in the AMG
engine shop on the traditional "one man, one engine" principle. This
means that one technician is responsible for hand-assembling a
complete V8 engine to the highest quality standards – which is
attested to by his signature on the AMG engine plate.

AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC with
blipping function

This high-performance
eight-cylinder engine has the perfect partner in the form of the AMG
SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission. Equipped with AMG steering
wheel shift paddles and three driving modes, the seven-speed
automatic transmission allows a decidedly sporty or more
comfort-oriented style of driving according to the driver’s
preference. The different modes - "S" (Sport), " C" (Comfort) and
"M" (Manual) differ in their shift characteristics and speed:
gearshifts in "S" mode are around 30 percent faster than in "C", and
no less than around 50 percent faster in "M" mode.

Pressing a button is sufficient to
activate the desired driving programme.

The new C 63 AMG is the
very first AMG car to feature an automatic throttle-blipping
function during downshifts. This not only enhances the driver’s
emotional experience – the almost completely jolt-free downshifting
process also reduces the load-change responses and has a
particularly positive effect when braking before bends on the
racetrack.

Redesigned front axle with
35-millimetre wider track

The C 63 AMG owes its
outstanding handling dynamics to the AMG sports suspension and an
all-new three-link front axle design. The stiff configuration of the
springs and gas-pressure shock absorbers ensures optimal road
contact and low body movements when negotiating serpentine bends at
speed. The new front axle has a 35-millimetre wider track – visible
by the more widely flared wheel arches – and therefore ensures lower
dynamic wheel loads when cornering. A number of features make for
substantially more stability and precision in all driving
situations: the redesigned wheel location at the front axle is 100
percent more rigid, leading to a considerable improvement in
steering precision. Another benefit makes itself felt when braking,
as the new wheel location ensures an immediate response even under
high dynamic stresses.

In combination with
completely newly configured elasto-kinematics, the new wheel
location provides greatly improved lateral dynamics and allows the
driver of the C 63 AMG to benefit from significantly higher
cornering speeds. A larger torsion bar stabiliser, new head bearings
and dampers with rebound buffer springs further enhance this
stability and precision. Steering feedback is also improved by the
new kinematics. The speed-sensitive AMG sports steering has a ratio
of 13.5:1, but feels more direct as a result of moving what is
termed the instant centre of motion at the front axle. A more rigid
Hardy disc in the steering column, as well as modified steering
characteristics, make a further contribution to increased precision.

The multi-link
independent rear suspension has also been thoroughly re-engineered,
with a twelve-millimetre wider track and more camber leading to
improved cornering performance. Reinforced drive shafts and drive
joints increase fatigue strength and round off the improvements to
the rear suspension of the C 63 AMG.

The completely newly
developed AMG sports suspension combines outstanding handling
dynamics with the long-distance comfort to be expected of a Mercedes
– which also means that the C 63 AMG has the characteristic virtues
of a genuine AMG.

The C 63 AMG is
appropriately fitted with new, 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a
five-spoke design. Painted in titanium grey, these high-sheen wheels
in size 8.0 x 18 and 8.5 x 18 are shod with wide-base tyres in size
235/40 R 18 (front) and 255/35 R 18 (rear). Even more dynamic
handling is made possible by the optionally available 19-inch AMG
light-alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design. The front wheels are in
size 8.0 x 19 with 235/35 tyres, with 9.0 x 19 wheels and 255/30 R
19 tyres at the rear.
Generously dimensioned AMG high-performance braking system

Internally ventilated
and perforated disc brakes all-round reside behind the spokes of the
AMG wheels. The front brakes have size 360 x 36-millimetre discs
with six-piston fixed callipers, while deceleration at the rear is
by 330 x 26-millimetre discs with four-piston fixed callipers. The
AMG high-performance braking system is characterised by great
sensitivity and high fade-resistance.

3-stage ESPÒ with Sport function
as a new feature in the C 63 AMG

The Electronic Stability
Program ESPÒ is specifically configured for the dynamic performance
of the C 63 AMG, which is the first AMG model to feature the 3-stage
ESPÒ with a Sport function. This system offers three different
control settings, and is a logical further development of the AMG
ESPÒ philosophy. The ESP key in the centre console enables the
driver to choose between three modes - "ESP ON", "ESP SPORT" and
"ESP OFF" – the currently active mode is shown in the central
display of the AMG instrument cluster.

In "ESP ON" mode, the
onset of handling instability leads to braking intervention at one
or more of the wheels, accompanied by a reduction in engine torque.
Briefly pressing the ESP key activates "ESP SPORT". In this mode the
braking intervention to counter oversteer or understeer, as well as
the accompanying reduction in engine torque, allows a higher dynamic
threshold and, for instance, corresponding drift angles – which
means that the driver of the C 63 AMG benefits from considerably
more active driving pleasure. ESP Ò is restored to its normal
function as soon as the brake pedal is operated.

Prolonged pressure on
the ESP key activates "ESP OFF". There is no intervention to control
the handling dynamics, and no reduction in engine torque – thus
increasing driving enjoyment even further. "ESP OFF" should only be
used by experienced drivers on dedicated racetracks. In this mode
too, operating the brake pedal restores all the normal functions of
ESPÒ. The system’s traction logic is active in all three ESP Ò
modes. If one of the drive wheels threatens to spin, specific brake
pressure is applied to create the effect of a mechanical
differential lock. This means that the engine power is optimally
transferred to the road.

More distinctive exterior design
than ever before

It is not only in
technological but also in visual terms that the new C 63 AMG is more
distinctively different from the standard C-Class than ever before.
The front end is dominated by the new bonnet with its two pronounced
power domes, as well as the trademark AMG radiator grille with a
central star and two louvres with chrome inserts. The honeycomb
pattern of the grille is also reflected in the large air dams of the
new, athletically contoured front apron which forms part of the AMG-specific
bodystyling. The fog lamps with chrome surrounds are spaced well
apart, acting together with the flared front wheel arches to
accentuate the width of the car – with the striking transition from
the front apron to the wings leaving a particularly strong
impression. The side air vents in the front apron serve to expel the
hot air from the oil coolers. If the C 63 AMG is specified with the
optional bi-xenon headlamps or the Intelligent Light System, the
headlamps are also dark-tinted.

Eye-catching features
when viewed from the side include the 18-inch AMG light-alloy
wheels, the harmoniously integrated "6.3 AMG" lettering on the front
wing and the AMG side skirts. At the rear the standard LED rear
lights, the AMG rear apron with its black diffuser insert and three
pronounced diffuser fins, as well as the AMG sports exhaust system
with two chrome twin tailpipes, provide further visual highlights
that are hallmarks of the brand. The AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid
reduces lift and ensures greater handling stability at high speeds.

AMG interior with new sports seats
and performance steering wheel

This decidedly sporty
theme is continued in the interior of the C 63 AMG, which now has
special AMG sports seats with integral head restraints for the first
time. The seats not only feature a new design with cross-piping and
AMG lettering, but also an adaptive backrest with adjustments for
the side bolsters and lumbar support. The standard upholstery in
ARTICO man-made leather/AMG fabric is available in a choice of black
or reef grey – or as an option the interior can be further enhanced
with particularly high-grade leather in black, reef grey or black/sahara
beige. Perfect handling control is assured with the new AMG
performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design, which has a rim
diameter of 365 millimetres and a flattened lower section. The upper
section is covered in perforated leather, and two silver AMG shift
paddles enable the gears to be shifted manually.

AMG main menu with a wide variety
of displays

The trademark AMG
instrument cluster in a tubular design features newly styled dials,
AMG-specific lettering and a new night-time design. Eye-catching
details include the 320 km/h speedometer scale, AMG lettering, red
needles and the "6.3 V8" logo in the rev counter. The AMG main menu
in the central display allows numerous settings, with "Warm Up",
"Set Up" and "RACE" modes activated via buttons on the AMG
performance steering wheel. "Warm Up" displays the engine oil and
coolant temperature, "Set Up" the current ESP Ò mode and the
transmission mode "S", "C" or "M". "RACE" mode makes the RACETIMER
available, with which the driver is able to measure lap times on a
racetrack.

Development and design of the C 63
AMG

Creating a new car is a
complex undertaking, and this certainly applies to the new
Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG whose conceptual phase commenced in 2004.
This began with the fundamental feasibility study known as
packaging. The new C 63 AMG was first constructed as a digital
model, the engine, cooling system, fuel system, drive train and
axles being "married" with the bodyshell to examine buildability. In
spring 2005 the first 1:4-scale design models were produced on the
basis of drawings and computer images, and in addition the first
testing & development vehicles were already built on the basis of
the preceding C 55 AMG. This made it possible to test major
assemblies such as the drive train, brakes and axles. The latest
onboard measuring technology provided valuable data such as engine
oil, coolant and brake disc temperatures – but other aspects of
interest were lap times e.g. on the north loop of the Nürburgring,
as well as measurable, precisely defined handling manoeuvres to
provide comparisons between different axle configurations. These
tests were accompanied by extensive aerodynamic tests on the
bodyshell of the C 63 AMG, and it was only then that the final
design was approved.

Following approval of
the concept in the autumn of 2005, the first fully-fledged
prototypes of the C 63 AMG were built. At the same time the
high-performance saloon was also produced as a digital prototype.
Computer simulations made it possible for the "real" development
prototypes to exhibit a very high level of maturity during the first
rollout. These simulations included the most important vehicle
functions, such as handling dynamics, the engine and drive train,
bodyshell durability, suspension performance, passive safety, the
engine’s thermal characteristics and performance/fuel consumption.

From Affalterbach to every
climatic zone on earth

The standardised and
highly sophisticated AMG development and test programme for the C 63
AMG began in summer 2005. Over the next couple of years around 20
vehicles were dispatched all over the world from Mercedes-AMG GmbH
in Affalterbach, to be subjected to strenuous tests in every
climatic zone.

Test, analyse and
optimise – that is the creed of the specialists at AMG to achieve
the objectives laid down in the book of specifications. Another
decisive aspect was an ongoing dialogue between Design and
Development, so that any necessary technical modifications were also
implemented in design terms.